Engineering Beyond the Double Bind: Women of Color in Engineering Education and Careers

该工程教育研究项目旨在为现有的知识库做出重大贡献，这些知识库涉及促进和阻碍非裔美国人，拉丁美洲人，美洲原住民和亚裔美国妇女在本科和早期职业水平上从事工程的因素;并加强对有希望的元素的理解，这些元素降低了障碍并使途径多样化，并通过工程教育计划和超越。目前，工程领域的有色人种女性在工程劳动力中的代表性严重不足，相对于她们在美国人口中的代表性，但人们对她们的教育或早期职业经历知之甚少，也不知道这些经历如何导致她们在工程领域的减员或留任。该项目有三个轨道：（一） 一个综合的实证研究，从过去15年的颜色在工程教育的妇女;（二） 分析75个故事（生活故事）由或关于妇女的颜色在工程教育和早期职业生涯;和（III）24名妇女的颜色本科生和早期专业人士在子领域，他们是最不足的采访研究：航空航天，民用，和机械工程。通过产生一个更系统和全面的了解是什么帮助和伤害年轻女性的颜色在工程教育和该项目的研究结果将实际指导教育工作者和雇主如何使STEM环境多样化，从而培养更广泛的国内人才基础。目前的研究表明，不同的群体？独特的背景、观点和经验有可能为STEM的发现和创新带来全新的方法。因此，这个项目的更广泛的意义和重要性来自于它将如何帮助工程多样化，从而加强美国？成为世界科学的领导者。

This engineering education research project aims to significantly contribute to the existing knowledge base about factors that promote and hinder African American, Latina, Native American, and Asian American women in engineering at the undergraduate and early career levels; and to enhance the understanding of promising elements that lower barriers and diversify pathways to, and through, engineering education programs and beyond. Currently, women of color in engineering are severely underrepresented in the engineering workforce relative to their representation in the U.S. population, yet little is known about their educational or early career experiences or how these experiences contribute to their attrition from, or retention in, engineering. The project has three tracks:(I) a synthesis of empirical research from the last 15 years on women of color in engineering education; (II) analysis of 75 narratives (life stories) by or about women of color in engineering education and early careers; and (III) an interview study of 24 women of color undergraduates and early professionals in subfields in which they are most underrepresented: aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering.By producing a more systematic and comprehensive understanding about what helps and hurts young women of color in engineering education and early careers, findings from this project will practically guide educators and employers on how to diversify their STEM settings and thus cultivate a broader base of domestic talent. Current research suggests that diverse groups? unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences have potential to bring dramatically new approaches to discovery and innovation within STEM. Thus, the broader significance and importance of this project arises from how it will help to diversify engineering and thus strengthen the United States? position as a scientific world leader.